The reason for eating slowly is two-fold: 1) it makes the experience of eating much more satisfying and 2) it helps prevent overeating. When you eat slowly, you give yourself time to take in the tastes, smells, and textures of the foods you are eating. You also allow extra time for signals to be sent back and forth from your stomach to your brain. These signals are important messages about your level of fullness.

Eating slowly doesn’t mean you have to tack on an extra hour to every meal or snack. It just means giving yourself a little extra time to be present and mindful of the experience and how it’s impacting you—both physically and mentally.